Kifowit Encourages Residents to Follow Christmas Tree Safety Tips

To reduce the risk of accidental fires occurring over the holidays, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is urging local residents to follow important safety tips to ensure a safe holiday season for everyone.

“Putting up a Christmas tree is a tradition that many families enjoy, yet safety is not always the first priority on everyone’s mind,” Kifowit said. “However, by following a few simple precautions, a tree can be put up properly and safely.”

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the following precautions should be followed to prevent Christmas tree fires:• Connect no more than 3 strands of mini light sets.• Connect no more than 50 bulbs for screw-in light sets.• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.• Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles, or heat vents.• Discard your tree as soon as possible after Christmas or when it is dry.

Statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration show that Christmas tree fires, while not very common, are often more serious than other types of fires. On average, one of every 40 reported Christmas tree fires results in a death as opposed to an average of one death per 142 total reported home fires. For additional fire safety tips or to access fire prevention outreach materials, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s website at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/.

“The holidays should be a time where people can relax and enjoy time with their loved ones,” Kifowit said. “I urge everyone to stay alert during this time to avoid potentially deadly accidents.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Kifowit’s constituent service office at 630-585-1308 or email Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net. ###